Generosity in the time of Covid-19

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. Generosity is a powerful counter-force to the isolation and loneliness that many of us feel during this time and that many of our clients struggle with all of the time . Our ability to give help and hope gives us agency, dispelling feelings of powerlessness. Even as we practice physical distancing, we can remain connected through kindness and generosity even without physical proximity. There is no reason that our physical separation means we can’t provide the financial, emotional and social supports that nurture our families and communities.  Join us in this generosity movement Today, #GivingTuesdayNow May 5th, and Everyday.

One week ago, we received a massive donation of shelf-stable groceries from Gracepoint Church in Berkeley (generosity, indeed!). The items were sorted and bagged by our wonderful staff and volunteers (over the weekend!) and this week they went out to 300 of our most food-insecure clients, those who depend almost entirely, if not completely, on SOS Meals on Wheels for food. We started this work 54 years ago, in part, because of concern about food-insecurity amongst the elderly in our communities, and now that the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the issue, we are doubling down on our efforts to feed seniors today AND prepare them for tomorrow. This week we delivered 5,080 shelf-stable emergency meals to those who need them the most. So far we have managed to avoid any interruptions in service despite issues with the food supply chain, but we believe it's better to be prepared! Our clients will not go with out food on our watch, no matter what.

A special thank you this week to Gracepoint Church, Castro Valley Lions Breakfast Club, San Francisco Foundation, our volunteers and now donors at Liberty Mutual, Sharon Davidson, and everyone who has given a little extra of their time, their money, their expertise. Generosity, everywhere we look. I don't know about you, but I'm inspired! Stay safe, stay distant, Charlie Deterline, Executive Director

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